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In the premiere episode of Spirit Plate on PBS Food, Chef Pyet DeSpain returns home to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation to prepare a sacred bison stew feast, reflecting on love, community, and the strength of her roots.

Pyet DeSpain invites her community to join her October 29 at 5 PM PST for a live TalkShopLive event celebrating Rooted in Fire, her debut cookbook honoring Native American and Mexican traditions. Signed copies ship November 18, 2025.

Award-winning chef Pyet DeSpain joins the Coronado Public Library for a special Rooted in Fire event celebrating Native American and Mexican cooking, joined by chef and author Claudia Sandoval.

I’m so excited to invite you into my kitchen for a special evening celebrating the release of my debut cookbook, Rooted in Fire . This is...

I’m so excited to share that my cookbook Rooted in Fire: A Celebration of Native American and Mexican Cooking was recently highlighted...

Publishers Weekly has highlighted Rooted in Fire in its feature on new Indigenous cookbooks this season. Chef Pyet DeSpain shares how her debut book draws from her Native American and Mexican roots, weaving family traditions into recipes that honor heritage, healing, and authenticity.

As the season of harvest and gathering arrives, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than sharing a table, or in this case, a room with friends, family, and community. On Saturday, November 22, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM , I’ll be at Carlsbad City Library for a special Thanksgiving Week event to celebrate the release of my debut cookbook, Rooted in Fire: a Celebration of Native American and Mexican Cooking . This book is more than just recipes. It’s the story of my heri

Abernethy’s in downtown LA welcomes Chef Pyet DeSpain for their Limited Engagements series, running now through April 2025. Known for her Indigenous Fusion Cuisine and as the winner of Next Level Chef, Pyet offers a deeply personal menu that celebrates her Native American and Mexican heritage.

In a powerful conversation on Your Mama’s Kitchen, Chef Pyet DeSpain shares how her Native American and Mexican heritage guided her journey to winning Next Level Chef. She reflects on childhood memories, challenges stereotypes about Indigenous cuisine, and shares a special tamale recipe inspired by her roots.

I’m still taking this moment in — Rooted in Fire has officially been featured in Publishers Weekly’s Fall 2025 Cooking & Food Preview!...

Rooted in Fire: A Celebration of Native American and Mexican Cooking by award-winning chef Pyet DeSpain is officially available for pre-order. Featuring over sixty vibrant fusion recipes, signed copies are available exclusively through Vroman’s Bookstore.

Chef Pyet DeSpain, featured on The Today Show, shares the deep cultural meaning of the “Three Sisters” — corn, beans, and squash — and how they represent strength, resilience, and community within Indigenous foodways.

Chef Pyet DeSpain brings a first-of-its-kind Indigenous and Mexican fusion menu to Downtown LA, spotlighting the richness of Native foodways beyond the usual fry bread. Her cooking tells a deeper story—one rooted in heritage, identity, and healing.

Chef Pyet DeSpain makes history as the first Indigenous chef to lead a residency at Abernethy’s in Downtown LA, offering a powerful blend of Native American and Mexican cuisine through spring 2025.

Chef Pyet enters Food Network’s Tournament of Champions Season 6 not just as a competitor, but as a proud representative of Indigenous chefs and foodways. This moment is bigger than one plate—it’s for the entire community.

LA Weekly spotlighted my Indigenous Fusion pop-up at Red Room, calling attention to the deep roots and bold flavors behind Pyet’s Plate — and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Winning Season 1 of Next Level Chef was more than just a title—it was a turning point in my life. The struggles that once defined my daily routine are now part of the story I carry with me to uplift others. From scraping together gas money to walking on the set of Gordon Ramsay’s show, I’ve lived both ends of the spectrum—and I carry that gratitude into every dish I create.

Chef Pyet DeSpain brings her Indigenous Fusion cuisine to The Rachael Ray Show, sharing a heartfelt and flavorful recipe for Bison Empanadas with sweet potato. Watch her cook alongside Richard Blais and learn how to make this soulful dish at home.

In her feature for the Passion Series by Mark Mendoza, Private Chef Pyet Despain shares how cooking is more than a career—it’s a path to wholeness. Blending her Indigenous and Mexican heritage, Pyet finds purpose in every meal she creates and joy in sharing that experience with others.

Chef Pyet’s heart is in the kitchen, but her impact reaches far beyond it. In her recent feature with VoyageLA Magazine, Pyet shares how she fuses her Native American and Mexican heritage into unforgettable dishes—and how a single jar of Wojapi is helping her pass on a taste of tradition to tables across the country.